The country’s favorite K-pop superstar Sandara Park has declared that the Philippines is a safe country to visit months following the death of South Korean businessman Ji Ick Joo.

PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Team Philippines

Park, who became a blockbuster actress in the Philippines prior to reaching stardom in her own country, made the claim in a television show aired in South Korea’s KBS Channel. The show featured a travel battle between Philippines versus Vietnam.

“One of the reasons why I wanted to introduce Philippines to the battle trip is that people always ask me about the Philippines - ‘Isn’t it dangerous? I hear public safety is poor?’ They always ask me that unfortunate incidents are shown in the news. I wanted to show that it’s not dangerous at all."

In the said show, Park showcased her vacation experience in several tourist spots in the Philippines including Taal Lake in Batangas and Balicasag Island in Bohol. Park also showed how coconut is traditionally consumed in the Philippines.

A video clip of the show immediately went viral amassing over 27,000 shares and more than 43,000 reactions after it was shared on the Facebook page of Team Philippines. Several netizens praised Park for defending the Philippines amid international criticisms on the country’s all-out war against illegal drugs.

At least 1 million South Korean tourists come to visit the Philippines every year. But with the controversial death of Ji, who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by Filipino cops, many South Koreans were discouraged to visit the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who disclosed that there are South Korean mafia into prostitution, kidnapping, and illegal drugs in the Philippines, said law-abiding nationals will be protected and treated equally as Filipinos.